Band tightening device



Patented Nov. 6, 1934 PATENT OFFICE BAND TIGHTENING DEVICE Frank J. Jakoubek, Elmwood Park, Ill., assignor to Brainard Steel Corporation, Warren, Qhio, a

- corporation of Ohio Application April 26, 1934, Serial No. 722,468

A Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in band tightening devices and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The devices with which my invention is more particularly concerned, are those for use in tightening a metallic band, or like member, about a bale, box or other package, and for holding said band in the tightened condition, during the fastening together of the overlapping ends thereof. Such a device generally includes a gripping block or dog that operates in conjunction with a part of the base of the device, to hold one end of the band, while the other end of the band is operated 5 upon by means to tighten and hold it tightened until the two ends of the band are fastenedtogether.

A holding dog for this purpose, as heretofore made, included but a single set of gripping teeth 2U or serrations.V When such gripping teeth wore out from use, the entire dog had to be replaced by a new one. Again, difficulty was encountered in relieving tension on the band, after the ends thereof were fastened together, whereby the device as a whole, could be removed from under the fastened band.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved structure in a device of this kind whereby the gripping block or dog may .30 be used for longer periods of time without renewal.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a devicevof this kind, a gripping block or dog having' a number of gripping surfaces, so that when one surface wears out, the gripping block or dog may be repositioned with respect to its actuating and releasing means, so as to bring another gripping surface into the operative position. f

Still another object of the invention is to pro-4 vide in a device of this kind, a gripping dog in the form of a block having a plurality of sides, each with a gripping surface thereon and any side of which may be brought into the operative position when the surface previously used, wears out.

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure of this kind whereby the block carrying the gripping surfaces, may be quickly removed and replaced with a new gripping surface disposed in the operative position to grip the band operated upon.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a device of this kind, means for releasing the tension on the band after its ends have been leave a flange extension 5.

secured together, whereby the device may be easily removed froxn between the band and the box, bale or other package upon which the band has been tightened.

The above mentioned objects of the invention, 50 as well as others, together with the many advantages thereof, will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification. Y

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view, in front elevation, of a band 65 tightening device embodying the preferred form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal Vertical sectional view through the device as taken on the line 3 3 of 70 Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the device on an enlarged scale as taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and shows the gripping dog in its band gripping position;

Fig. 5 is a, longitudinal detail vertical sectional view through the gripping block or dog end of the device, as taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 and shows the block in its band releasing position;

Fig. 6 is a view in front end elevatiorof the 80 gripping block of the device; and

Fig. 7 is a view in side elevation of the block shown in Fig. 6. v

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying 35 drawing:

1 indicates, as a whole, the frame of the device which includes a base plate 2 and rising from said base plate at a point between its ends are front and rear upstanding, spaced bearing ears 3 and 4 90 respectively. The front bearing ear is positioned to the rear of the front edge of the base plate to Both bearing ears are reinforced from the base plate by bracing webs 6 and 7. At one end of the frame and projecting 95 forwardly from the web 6 so as to be spaced above and overhang the flange extension 5, is a band guide hook 8. At the other end of the frame, said flange extension is formed with a raised portion 9 to provide a fixed gripping sur- 100 face.

At the other end of the base plate is provided an open, rectangular, gripping dog receiving frame, the front portion of which is spaced above and overhangs the fixed gripping surface as provided by the raised portion 9. This gripping dog receiving frame includes upright front and rear walls 10 and 11 and upright side or end walls 12 and 13, the front web 6 joining the end wall 12.

Ill. the base plate 2 between the ears 3 and 4 is 110 an opening 14 and rising from said base plate in line with said opening and suitably joining the junction of the walls 11 and 12 of the holding dog receiving frame is a boss 15, the purpose\ of which will soon appear. All of the parts mentioned are integral with the base plate to constitute a one-piece frame.

In the front and rear cars 3 and 4 are bearing bushings 16 for the associated ends of the shaft 17. One end of said shaft extends forwardly of the front ear to provide a band gripping drum 1-8. In said drum are transversely extending slots 18a, either one of which will receive a band end.

The shaft 17 at apoint between its ends is made with a portion 19 of rectangular cross section to receive a ratchet wheel 20. An actuating lever receiving socket 21 is provided with spaced side arms 22, each of which is journalled on the shaft 17 between the ratchet wheel 20 and adjacent ears 3 and 4 whereby the socket may be rocked back and forth about the shaft 17 as an axis. In the socket member 21 is provided a spring pressedy pawl 23. When the socket is swung in one direction, it causes the ratchet wheel and shaft to turn therewith and when the socket is swungin the other direction, the pawl merely clicks over the teeth of the ratchet.

In the boss 15 is mounted aspring pressed pawl 24 operatively engaged at one end with the ratchet to hold it against a backward movement in the backward swing of the socket as the band or strap being tightened takes on a` tension. This dog is provided, outside of the boss, with a button 25 whereby it may be maually withdrawn from operative engagement with the ratchet. This button is flattened on one side as at 26 and said side engages with the flat face of the wall 11 so as to prevent a turning of said pawl with respect to the ratchet wheel.

Removably engaged in the front and rear walls 10 and 11 of the gripping clog receiving frame, is a shaft 27. Rockably mounted upon said shaft between said walls 10 and 11, is the eccentric hub 28 of a lever 29. A spring 30 surroundsthe shaft 27 between the lever 29 and the rear wall 11 of the open frame and one end of said spring is engaged with said lever and the other end has a hooked engagement with a part of the frame. The spring 30 so acts on the lever as to normally swing it in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1.

Mounted on the eccentric hub of said lever isa `multisurfaced gripping dog 31 in the form of a four sided block. Each side is provided'fftoward one end with pointed gripping teeth 32. Said block which is substantially square when viewed from the front, has a frontrectangular and preferably square extension 33 that has dimensions, slightly less than that of the block itself. Said gripping block extension engages with a some- `what loose fit in a guide recess or groove 34 (see Fig. 2) provided therefor in the inner surface of the front wall 10 of the gripping dog receiving frame.

The parts just described are so proportioned that the spring 30 normally acts to hold the block so that the teeth 32 on its bottom side engage against the fixed rgripping surface as provided by the raised portion 9. When the lever socket 21 is swung clockwise, this will cause the block to be elevated out of its gripping position.

It is to be noted from Figs. 1 and 5 that the eccentric hub 28 of the lever 29 is offset to the left of the axis of the shaft. Itis also to be noted that the gripping surface or teeth on the bottom side of the block are disposedin a plane to the left hand side of the axis of the shaft when viewed as in Figs. 1 and 5. When the lever 29 has been swung clockwise, it is apparent that the block is elevated slightly and will take on a slight arcuate movement during this elevation. Such movement is accommodated by the loose t between the block extension 33 and the recess or groove 34 in the wall 10.

In the use of the device, the base 1 is disposed upon the bale, box or other object 35 operated upon. One end 36 of a band or metallic strap or wire 37is engaged upon the fixed gripping surface as provided by the raised portion 9 and under the hook 8 to extend a suitable distance beyond the latter. The other end 38 of the band is then positioned under the hook 8 but above the first mentioned band end and said other end is then engaged in one of the slots 18a in the drum 18. The lever socket 21 (after a suitable lever has been inserted therein) is then swung back and forth in clockwise and counterclockwise direct; tions as viewed in Fig. 1, This will rotate the drum 18 step by step counterclockwise, so that the band end 38 is wound up thereupon. In this winding up of said band end 38 and with the teeth 32 ofthe gripping dog engaged with the rst mentioned band end, it is apparent that a pull is imparted on the band to tighten the same.

The pull exerted upon the band. of course, is felt throughout its entire length and this pull, together Awith the action of the spring 30 on the lever 29 will cause said teeth to press with an increasing action down upon the band end portion disposed upon fixed gripping surface as provided by said raised portions 9. This will tightly hold said end against slipping under the action of tightening the band.

When the band has thus been tightened, a fastening device (not shown) is applied to the band ends at a point preferably adjacent but to the left of the guide hook 8.

It is, of course, apparent that the entire band is still under tension, with a part still wound upon the drum. To release the tension to make it easier to remove the device as a whole from the bale, box or package 35, the button 25 of the pawl 24 is pulled outwardly and this permits the ratchet wheel to back up and ease off on that part of the band between the drum 18 and the hook 8. This permits the removal of that part of the band wound on the drum, from said drum and said part is then cut off near said lug. The device may then be removed rearwardly from under the band.

It is apparent that after a period of use, the teeth of the gripping surface wear off and become blunted and therefore they lose their ability to hold the associated end of the band. Under such conditions, the shaft 27 is driven out Aor removed from the walls l0 and 11 of the frame and then the dog or block 31 and lever 29 are removed from the frame as a unit. When these parts are thus removed from the frame, the dog or block is turned on the eccentric hub of the lever through an arc of about d, and this brings a new side of the block into operative position with respect to the hub and the parts are then reinserted into the frame. Thereafter the pin or shaft 27 is replaced and the device is ready for further use. This operation may bexdone as/many times as there are sides to the block which in this instance is shown as having four sides. Thus the period of use of the device is greatly prolonged. The change mentioned, to present a new surface into operative position, may be quickly made and this without requiring any special tools therefor.

While in describing the invention, I have referred in detail to the form, arrangement and construction of the various parts thereof, the same is to be considered only in the illustrative sense so that I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device of the kind described embodying therein a frame including a surface upon which the band to be gripped may be engaged, a gripping member having a. plurality of gripping surfaces, one of which occupies an operative position to engage said band, and means mounted in a part on said frame for supporting said member and for moving the same toward or away from said surface to cause said one of said gripping surfaces to grip or release said band, said gripping member and said supporting means being formed for a relative movement whereby said one of said gripping surfaces may be moved out of said operative position and a second gripping surface may be moved into said operative position.

2. A device of the kind described embodying therein a frame including a surface upon which the band to be gripped may be engaged, a gripping member having a plurality of gripping surfaces, one of which occupies an operative position to engage said band, and means mounted in a part on said frame for supporting said member and for moving the same toward or away from said surface to cause said one of said gripping surfaces to grip or release said band, and coacting means on said member and frame part respectively, providing a guided movement with some play for said member in said frame part, no matter what gripping surface happens to be in said operative position.

3. In a device of the kind described, a frame, means providing spaced walls on said frame, an eccentric member rockably mounted in said walls, a gripping member mounted on said eccentric member between said walls and having a plurality of gripping surfaces, one of which occupies an operative position with respect to the band to be gripped, and means providing for the removal of said eccentric member from said walls whereby said gripping member may be turned relatively thereto to bring a second gripping surface into said operative position.

4; In a device of the kind described, a frame, means providing spaced walls on said frame, an eccentric member rockably mounted in said walls, a gripping member mounted on said eccentric member between said walls and having a plurality of gripping surfaces, one of which occupies an operative position with respect to the band to be gripped. and means providing for the removal of said eccentric member from said walls whereby said gripping member may be turned relatively thereto to bring a second gripping surface into said operative position, and means on said frame preventing an undue turning of said gripping member on said eccentric.

5. In a device of the kind described, a frame, means providing spacedwalls on said frame, a rockable eccentric member positioned between said walls, a gripping member mounted on said eccentric adjacent one of said walls and having a plurality of gripping faces, one of which occupies an operative position with respect to the band to be gripped, and a shaft upon which said eccentric member is removably engaged and which shaft is removably engaged in said end walls to permit the removal of said eccentric member and gripping member so that said gripping member may be turned on the eccentric member to bring a second gripping surface into said operative position.

6. In a device of the kind described, a frame, means providing spaced walls on said frame, a rockable eccentric member positioned between said walls, a gripping member mounted on lsaid eccentric adjacent one of said walls and having a'plurality of gripping faces, one of which occupies an operative position with respect to the band to be gripped, and a shaft upon which said eccentric member is removably mounted, said shaft being removably engaged in said spaced walls to permit the removal of said eccentric member and gripping member as a'unit so that said gripping member may be turned on the eccentric member to bring a second gripping surface into said operative position, and coacting means on the gripping member and one of said spaced walls which permits of a limited turning movement only of said gripping member on the eccentric member when said members are in position between said spaced walls.

7. In a device of the kind described, a rockably mounted eccentric member and a gripping member having an opening to receive the eccentric member and having .a plurality of gripping faces, the said opening being arranged substantially centrally with respect to said gripping surfaces.

8. In a device of the kind described, a rockably mounted eccentric member and a gripping member having an opening to receive the eccentric member, said gripping member being rectangular and having a gripping surface on each face thereof and all arranged at substantially the same distance from the axis of the opening.

9. A gripping member for a device of the kind described comprising a block having a central opening and a plurality of sides, certain ones of which are formed in one portion thereof with a gripping surface.

10. A gripping member for a device of the kind described comprising a block having a central opening and four sides, each of which is formed in one portion at one end thereof with a gripping surface.

FRANK J. JAKOUBEK. 

